Meet the current Coastal Science and Policy M.S. Cohorts

Arianna Agostini

Coastal Climate Resilience Fellow

Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago

Capstone theme: Arianna’s goal is to strengthen the long-term resilience of coral reef ecosystems and the communities that depend on them by advancing scalable, science-based, and community-driven approaches to coral reef monitoring and restoration in Small Island Developing States. Her work with Fragments of Hope, a community-based coral restoration organization in Belize, will aim to assess the accuracy of using Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) to analyze coral survival, health, and vital rates, as an alternative to traditional, more time- and resource-intensive diver-based monitoring.

Highlight:Growing up in the Caribbean, Arianna witnessed first-hand the impacts of climate change on coastal communities and the ecosystems that sustain them. These experiences have fueled her passion for community-focused research that informs policy and practice to address climate change and biodiversity loss. Her work centers on supporting resilience in Small Island Developing States across the Caribbean.

Prior Experience: Arianna is a researcher with expertise across coral reef, seagrass, oyster reef, and mangrove ecosystems. She holds a B.S. in Environmental Science from Duke University and has worked on ecosystem restoration projects as well as research spanning species interactions between seagrass and bivalves, cold-water coral bleaching, eDNA analysis, green recovery initiatives, invasive species dynamics, and marine science education for youth.

Jing (Jane) Chen

Beijing, China

Capstone theme: Jing is interested in investigating the ecological impact of Mollusk stock enhancement and release in northern China, evaluating the overall sustainability and environmental implications of such practices. This research can inform sustainable fisheries management policies and practices.

Highlight: Jing is a dedicated marine conservationist and rescue scuba diver. She combines academic and real-world experiences to tackle pressing coastal sustainability challenges.

Prior Experience: Jing has been working for Chinese and International NGOs for the past five years, focusing on promoting sustainable fishing standards at the Marine Stewardship Council, as well as sustainable lifestyles. She earned her B.S. in marine science from the University of Queensland in Australia.

Gwendolyn Chow

Singapore

Capstone theme: Gwendolyn is interested in exploring the role of inclusive conservation and enabling conditions needed to advance the United Nation’s “30×30” goal– effective protection and management of 30% of the world’s terrestrial, inland water, and coastal and marine areas by the year 2030–at a regional level across the Coral Triangle.

Highlight: The results of Gwendolyn’s undergraduate thesis publication are currently being used to inform species selection for Singapore’s coral restoration efforts.

Prior Experience: Gwendolyn’s background is in coral ecology, and she has conducted research on tropical reefs in Singapore and the Maldives through scientific diving. Currently, she manages conservation projects across the Coral Triangle for WWF-Singapore’s Oceans Program, connecting funding from donors to impactful work that expands protected areas, restores degraded habitats, and scales co-management approaches among coastal communities.

Oumar Cisse

Coastal Climate Resilience Fellow

Nouakchott, Mauritania

Capstone theme: Oumar is committed to fostering coastal environmental resilience within vulnerable and marginalized communities. His mission is to collaborate with these communities to develop sustainable practices and enhance their resilience against environmental challenges, ultimately driving sustainable development in his community.

Highlight: Oumar co-founded SeedBall Mauritania and The Power Circle (Rwanda). SeedBall Mauritania addressed reforestation challenges and helped improve overall resilience of coastal ecosystems.

Prior Experience: Oumar obtained his Bachelors in Global Challenges from the African Leadership University.  

Meher Datta

Mumbai, India

Capstone theme: Meher’s capstone project focuses on cetacean conservation in the Arctic, specifically in the Bering Strait where shipping traffic and whale migration paths overlap. She is surveying shipping companies to assess incentive mechanisms for a potential voluntary vessel slowdown regulation program in the region. She will be using industry input to create conservation measure recommendations that should be taken to reduce the risk of ship strikes in the Bering Strait.

Highlight: Meher has her B.A. in Environmental Studies from Eckerd College, and grew up in the coastal city of Mumbai. She is passionate about the conservation of fragile ecosystems like the Arctic, and bridging the gap between industrial practices and conservation.

Prior Experience: Meher gained experience in the field of conservation by working with various dolphin research projects and researching sea turtle migration and genetics at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute. She has assisted with marine animal rescues and worked in conservation education, as well as recording the biodiversity of Tampa Bay for long-term monitoring and conservation. Her career goal is to help shape conservation policy and mitigation measures to protect marine mammals from anthropogenic influence.

Chase Davenport

Schmidt Marine Innovation Fellow

Center for Coastal Climate Resilience Fellow

San Francisco, California

Capstone theme: Chase is interested in balancing the needs of human and natural systems as coastlines change from the impacts of a changing climate. He wants to build tools that encourage better decision-making about how sand is used in coastal adaptation and resilience projects.

Highlight: Chase is a part-time surfboard shaper and focuses on designing and building surfboards free of petroleum products.

Prior Experience: Chase began his career as a kindergarten teacher for Teach for America in Richmond, CA. More recently, he has been a researcher at UC Berkeley and Accenture, where he used artificial intelligence to better understand relationships between humans and the environment.

Eric Medina

Monterey Bay Coastal Climate Resilience Fellow

Fort Bragg, California

Capstone theme: Eric is interested in how California’s coastal landscapes can be utilized to create socially and ecologically resilient communities. For his capstone project Eric plans to explore how models for managed retreat along the coast can provide opportunity for those in harm’s way and ecological services to the broader community.

Highlight: Eric’s interests are largely shaped by his Mayan heritage and family’s immigration from Yucatan, Mexico. From a young age, he witnessed the need for a society that values human quality of life.

Prior Experience: Prior to CSP, Eric spent three years as the Restoration Steward for Younger Lagoon Reserve, assisting with habitat restoration, and leading student interns and community volunteers through restoration work. Eric holds a B.S. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and a B.A .in Latin American Latinx Studies from UC Santa Cruz.

Sidney Opiyo Oballa

Center for Coastal Climate Resilience Fellow

Kenya

Capstone theme: Sidney is interested in climate adaptation and resilience projects within vulnerable and marginalized coastal fishing communities. This work includes evaluating fishing methods and the risks from, and drivers of, coastal climate change, ultimately leading to enhanced climate risk assessment and management, and adaptive behaviors for communities.

Highlight: Sidney grew up in the small Suba ethnic community on Mfangano Island, Lake Victoria, Kenya. There, he witnessed firsthand the impacts of climate change, which inspired him to become a passionate advocate for environmental conservation and sustainable development.

Prior Experience: For the past few years, Sidney has been working with youth and community-led conservation efforts, the inclusion of climate justice in championing meaningful engagement, and climate and conservation storytelling.

Andyll L. Quamie

Liberia, West Africa

Capstone theme: Andyll is interested in enhancing coastal resilience through sustainable environmental practices with a strong focus on restoring the mangrove ecosystem. She is dedicated to finding innovative solutions for combating coastal erosion and mitigating the impacts of climate change on coastal communities. Her work emphasizes mangroves’ critical role in shoreline protection, biodiversity conservation, and the livelihood of local populations. She aims to help create resilient coastal landscapes that support both ecological health and human well-being.

Highlight: Andyll advocates for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 13- Climate Action and Goal 14- Life below Water. She is a Model United Nations Enthusiast and loves working in coastal ecosystems because of the stunning landscapes and beautiful scenery.

Prior Experience: Andyll is an environmental advocate who has volunteered with several organizations. She has worked with Conservation International-Liberia and the Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia.

Sofia Rivas

Packard Coastal Conservation Fellow

Central Coast, California

Capstone theme: My capstone theme investigates both the social and ecological dimensions of kelp forest recovery in California. I explore how participation in community-based programs influences volunteers’ and practitioners’ knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of ecosystem importance, health and recovery. I also aim to advance ecological knowledge by collaborating with the participatory program at the Monterey Bay Aquarium to lead a project within a larger MBA study aimed at understanding mechanisms of kelp forest recovery.

Highlight: I am passionate about marine conservation and the intersection between foundational science and recovery and management initiatives, while also encouraging more public awareness and engagement with our coastal native ecosystems.

Prior Experience: Sofia has a B.S. in Marine Biology from University of California, Santa Cruz. She studied abroad in Australia where she conducted independent research on coral reef ecosystems, and came back to UCSC with a deep fascination and interest in studying California’s coastal ecology. After working with a kelp forest ecology lab at UCSC to understand how canopy-forming kelp species grow, the experience broadened her understanding of coastal ecosystems and encouraged her to pursue kelp forest recovery initiatives with an interdisciplinary lens.

Makena Rush

Center for Coastal Climate Resilience Fellow

North Coast, California

Capstone theme: As the Project Manager and Artistic Director for the Kelp Forest Alliance Indigenous Working Group, Makena’s capstone explores the social and ecological dimensions of kelp forest stewardship through elevating Indigenous voices, storytelling, and sciences. Using decolonizing methodologies, her work aims to advance kelp stewardship and restoration from a basis of equity, environmental justice, and mutually-supportive forms of scientific research – centering Indigenous relationships with kelp forests on a global scale.

Highlight: In addition to being a social-ecological scientist and diver Makena is also a passionate artist that seeks to deepen our relationships with kelp forests through visual arts, dance, filmmaking, and more. Her work is featured in The Mysterious World of Bull Kelp, the California Seaweed Festival, and more artistic platforms along our coasts.

Prior Experience: Makena earned her Bachelors degree in Social Ecology, Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance, and minor in Global Sustainability from UC Irvine. As a California Sea Grant Fellow, she has taken part in the Green Gravel Action Group researching the effectiveness of restoring our canopy-forming kelp forests. Additionally, she led research at UC Irvine investigating marine wastewater contamination, and has enjoyed focusing within community-engaged stewardship with local schools and county-wide panels in California.

Daniela Thorne

Peru

Capstone theme: Daniela is interested in conducting a socio-economic analysis of fisheries in northern Peru, with a specific emphasis on artisanal free-diving activities, employing a system thinking approach. Through this analysis, she aims to assess the feasibility of implementing a market-base social change initiative that promotes sustainable resource use.

Highlight: Daniela has resided in an artisanal fishing community for 3.5 years, and has witnessed the economic, political, and environmental challenges faced by free-diving fisheries in Peru. She also shares the joy of embracing a simpler lifestyle with its people.

Prior Experience: Daniela’s work over the past five years has been centered on collaborating with local stakeholders in the artisanal fishing communities of northern Peru. Her aim has been to empower these communities to enhance community-led initiatives for sustainability using methods such as behavioral interventions, building social capital, knowledge sharing, and facilitating social learning processes.

Deti Triani

Indonesia

Capstone theme: Deti is interested in enabling factors to establish a transboundary Marine Spatial Plan in the Arafura and Timor Seas region or Coral Triangle Area. Her work will assess the policy, governance, and regional cooperation factors that can support the development of transboundary Marine Spatial Planning.

Highlight: Deti’s philosophy and inspiration come from interactions with people and the environment.

Prior Experience: Deti has spent her career in the marine conservation field and has experience developing Marine Spatial Planning in some of the provinces in Indonesia. Her recent role was as a Marine Technical Officer at a regional collaboration project between the governments of Indonesia, Timor-Leste, Australia, and Papua New Guinea.

Crystal Alvarado-Rodriguez

Schmidt Marine Innovation Fellow

California, United States

Capstone theme: Crystal is interested in applying soundscape ecology to coastal policy, with a particular emphasis on integrating Indigenous Ecological Knowledge into conservation and management strategies. Their work aims to develop practical, holistic approaches that use acoustic data to support ecosystem health and cultural resilience.

Highlight: Crystal is a Queer, Trans, non-binary Xicanx leader passionate about bridging science, equity, and storytelling to drive systemic change.

Prior Experience: Crystal brings over 20 years of experience leading research, evaluation, and equity initiatives for nonprofits, government, and mission-driven organizations, and have founded and directed interdisciplinary programs advancing justice and sustainability at the intersection of coastal science, policy, and community engagement.

Alejandro Castillo Heredia

Sonora, Mexico

Capstone theme: Alejandro is interested in shark conservation, with a focus on strengthening the resilience of coastal communities, and bridging ecological research with local knowledge to foster coexistence between people and marine predators.

Highlight: Alejandro is passionate about working at the intersection of science and community, using research to support sustainable ocean practices for conservation and social well-being.

Prior Experience: Alejandro holds a degree in Oceanography and has participated in marine ecological surveys throughout northwestern Mexico. His experience includes underwater fieldwork, data analysis, and collaboration with coastal communities.

Camille Coriell

Monterey Bay Coastal Climate Resilience Fellow

California, United States

Capstone theme: Camille is interested in developing a cross-agency planning system to support coastal adaptation and climate resilience planning in Monterey Bay. Camille’s goal is to develop a system that strengthens regional partnerships and improves access for local communities historically underrepresented in climate planning efforts.

Highlight: Camille, inspired by their upbringing in the coastal Pacific Northwest, is passionate about ocean conservation and science communication and uses their art to highlight the deep connections between people and the ocean.

Prior Experience: Camille holds a B.S. in Marine Science with a Minor in Environmental Health Policy from California State University, Monterey Bay, where they developed a strong foundation in oceanography, environmental science, and social science. From 2024 to 2025, they worked with NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, West Coast Regional Office, supporting initiatives at the intersection of science, policy, and community engagement, particularly for the newly designated Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary.

Jasmine Curcio

United States

Capstone theme: Jasmine is interested in policy solutions for long-term funding of climate-smart regenerative agriculture in coastal communities.

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Matt Emard

California, United States

Capstone theme: Matt is interested in restoration policies of chinook salmon in California’s Central Valley. He plans to focus on how current development proposals may impact California’s dwindling salmon populations and how management strategies can be adapted to meet the needs of our ecosystems and our society.

Highlight: Matt is a scuba divemaster with almost 200 dives.

Prior Experience: Matt has worked in a diversity of aquatic biological research in lab and field settings. Much of his previous experience has been studying the diet and migration of steelhead and chinook salmon in order to inform conservation efforts.

Ashik Jahan Galib

Kushtia, Bangladesh

Capstone theme: Ashik is interested in developing and implementing a Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool to assess Marine Protected Areas in Bangladesh, aiming to enhance conservation strategies, improve biodiversity protection, and promote sustainable fisheries. Through collaboration with government agencies, NGOs, and local stakeholders, he seeks to establish a national marine conservation framework that strengthens MPA governance, ensures long-term financial sustainability, and strengthens coastal community resilience.

Highlight: Ashik is passionate about conducting research that bridges policy and practice to support marine megafauna conservation and sustainable fisheries management, particularly in data-limited coastal communities in Bangladesh.

Prior Experience: Since 2017, Ashik has been deeply involved in marine conservation in Bangladesh, advancing from Research Assistant to Research Coordinator at the Wildlife Conservation Society. He has led marine megafauna surveys, socio-economic research on small-scale fisheries, citizen science initiatives, policy advocacy, and conservation strategy development. His contributions have played a key role in the establishment of MPAs, the alignment of fisheries regulations with global standards, and the strengthening of regional cooperation to combat trafficking of CITES-listed marine species.

Briana Gladhill

Monterey Bay Coastal Climate Resilience Fellow

California, United States

Capstone theme: Briana is interested in using nature-based solutions for coastal habitat restoration to reduce the risk of coastal flooding in vulnerable communities. Coastal habitat restoration will play a crucial role in creating and maintaining resilient coastal communities in the face of climate change and rising sea levels.

Highlight: Briana grew up in Los Angeles, and spent much of her youth at the beach scouring tidepools for sea urchins and star fish, body surfing in the waves, and roller blading along the Venice boardwalk. These experiences shaped her lifelong love of the ocean and desire to protect it.

Prior Experience: Briana earned her Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of Michigan. She gained experience in water quality and ocean health during her time in AmeriCorps where she served with Knox County Stormwater Management designing green infrastructure projects to reduce flood risk on residential properties, conducting visual stream assessments, and managing volunteers in the Adopt-A-Stream program.

Anna Lynn Heine

Florida, United States

Capstone theme: Anna Lynn is interested in developing an Indigenous and community-based policy framework that enhances ecosystem restoration efforts in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and the Everglades. This framework will focus specifically on accelerating ecosystem recovery following hurricanes and other natural disasters.

Highlight: Anna Lynn’s passion for climate activism began in high school after witnessing the severe impacts of climate change in South Florida, which inspired her to study Environmental Studies and Coastal Management at Eckerd College, and work in coastal ecosystem restoration and disaster management.

Prior Experience: Anna Lynn’s climate advocacy has included work with Aspen Future Leaders, LCOY USA, and serving as a Policy Committee Member on the U.S. Youth Action Council for the UN Ocean Decade.

Josie Lester

California, United States

Capstone theme: Josie is interested in enhancing coastal resilience through natural adaptation strategies.

Highlight: Josie participated in research throughout undergrad, attended a national conference, and completed an honors research thesis.

Prior Experience: Josie holds a B.S. in Environmental Science and Policy and a minor in Organismal Biology from Chapman University. She interned with the California Coastal Commission for two semesters on their enforcement team.

Andrea A. Lomelín Contreras

Mexico City, Mexico

Capstone theme: Andrea is interested in exploring coastal conservation approaches in Mexico that engage communities and tourism, with a focus on climate resilience, blue carbon potential, and policy.

Highlight: Andrea enjoys yoga, cooking, hiking, diving, trying new things, and connecting with people, nature, and cultures.

Prior Experience: Andrea works in corporate sustainability, leading certifications and audits in the mining and hospitality industries. Her work includes hands-on experience with coastal ecosystem conservation within the hotel sector.

Tess Moore

United States

Capstone theme: Tess is interested in working with coastal fishing communities to adapt to changing species composition as a result of climate change and harvesting practices.

Highlight: Tess has found connection to the sea making rosefish sandwiches over George’s bank, searching for tube anemones in the mud below an artificial salt pond, and smelling the fog outside their apartment.

Prior Experience: Tess has a BA in Human Ecology from College of the Atlantic, and has spent the last two years working offshore as a Fisheries Observer collecting bycatch data on groundfish trawlers and gillnetters and as a Sea Sampler studying lobster populations on Maine lobster vessels. They have also worked documenting the poorly studied New England hagfish fishery.

Molly Morabito

California, United States

Capstone theme: Molly is interested in developing restoration projects that support blue carbon ecosystems to enhance the ability of coastal environments that act as natural carbon sinks and provide services for coastal habitats and communities.

Highlight: Molly loves to surf the many breaks around Santa Cruz, and she especially enjoys sharing the water with the sea otters and harbor seals.

Prior Experience: Molly holds a B.A. in Communications, Law, Economics, & Government from American University and an MSc in Environmental Policy & Regulation from the London School of Economics. She has focused on advocating for national and state climate policies, worked as a clean energy researcher at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, a youth climate organizer with the Sunrise Movement, and a campaigner in the Climate Law Program for the Center for Biological Diversity.

Isabella Ossiander

Schmidt Marine Innovation Fellow

California, United States

Capstone theme: Isabella is interested in identifying ways to improve seafood traceability through the integration of innovative technologies like AI and rapid genomic testing. Her focus is to evaluate the feasibility and impact of implementing advanced tools like these within different ports along the Pacific Ocean.

Highlight: Isabella has a special love for the coast, growing up in Oceanside CA and a particular passion for stingrays!

Prior Experience: Isabella received a bachelor’s degree in Marine Biology from the University of California, Santa Cruz in 2022. Since then, she has worked as a Watershed Protection Specialist at the City of Oceanside focusing on watershed management and habitat restoration.

Daisy Schadlich

California, United States

Capstone theme: Daisy is interested in salmon recovery as a tool for river restoration and landscape, climate, and community resilience. She hopes to streamline pathways to salmon recovery through strengthening interdisciplinary partnerships.

Highlight: Daisy found her love of rivers in the Sierra Nevada where she was raised. Her love grew when she became a river guide and worked on rivers in Northern CA and Southern OR.

Prior Experience: Daisy began working with salmon while she was a student at UC Berkeley. Her interest has led her to be a fisheries technician on the Russian River with CA Sea Grant, then back to the Sierra Nevada as an AmeriCorps member with American Rivers to work on mountain meadow restoration, and most recently to the North Coast of CA as a Project Manager with Trout Unlimited.

Ibrahim V. Sheriff

Monrovia, Liberia

Capstone theme: Ibrahim is focused on enhancing climate resilience among women fishmongers in Liberia’s coastal communities by improving their access to micro-credit and providing business skills training. His work emphasizes economic empowerment and environmental sustainability for vulnerable groups dependent mostly on nature for their survival.

Highlight: Ibrahim’s experience supporting women-led fisheries and climate-smart Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) during his internship with Conservation International has strengthened his commitment to inclusive, people-centered conservation and climate smart solutions.

Prior Experience: Ibrahim has worked with Conservation International’s Blue Oceans Program and Adaptation Accelerator Program, supporting initiatives that advance coastal biodiversity conservation and climate-smart business development. He gained strong skills in project management, community engagement, and sustainable development, with a focus on elevating people center coastal biodiversity Conservation and climate action approach.

Grace Towle

Schmidt Marine Innovation Fellow

California, United States

Capstone theme: Grace is interested in leveraging the capabilities of AI and GIS to help coastal development managers integrate blue justice into planning and resiliency efforts. She wants to use these tools to create long-term value for coastal communities by supporting more just, adaptive decision-making.

Highlight: Grace is passionate about using data-informed design to generate tangible benefits for communities on the frontlines of climate change.

Prior Experience: Grace is a WEDG associate, working as a Strategy and Marketing Consultant with MKThink, an architecture and planning firm; and she works as a project manager with the Center for Sea Rise Solutions to develop a coastal resilience mapping tool. Her work bridges sustainability, urban design, and community resilience across diverse coastal contexts.